A former Australian diplomat says the US is preparing Australia to go to war against China, to use them as a proxy.
Former Australian diplomat John Lander worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s and believes Australia (specifically Canberra) is being set up for war so America can take a breather and stick to the sidelines.
In an interview with Chinese state-affiliated media Global Times, Lander said it's clear by the war in Ukraine that the US will "sacrifice a so-called ally" in pursuit of its own interests.
He said from the war in Ukraine there is one lesson to be learned: "The obvious lesson is to not allow ourselves to be used as a proxy."
"Australia will be at war against China at some point in the not too distant future, whilst America can stand off on the sidelines," he said.
"The United States is not preparing to go to war against China. The United States is preparing Australia to go to war against China."
Lander said there's one likely scenario.
"The US must help their ally by pouring in more and more weapons, material and ammunition, but still maintaining the pretence that they’re not directly engaged in the actual war," he said.
Meanwhile, according to Beijing-based academic Xu Shanpin, "Washington is trying to drive Australia to the forefront of war with China while the US can gain without a fight," he argued in a state-controlled media editorial.
